All posts in Foodie Like Me

Christmas Cereal

by admin on December 9, 2010 in Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Foodie Like Me, Holiday Messages, Mama Heart Mushings with 1 Comment

A little less enduring and sentimental then my ‘Christmas milk’ story, but no less cute is the kids favorite new find for the holidays. We where in desperate need of some cereal around here and I decided to be a little more relaxed at the grocer by way of letting my four year old choose what we got this week. As soon as Little Woman spotted the multicolored (green and red) crispy rice cereal I knew there was no going back on my promise. We would, indeed, be eating festive rice crispies that taste very much like regular rice crispies, besides the extra food dye flavor, for the whole week!

As soon as we arrived home Little Woman and Baby Boy teamed up on me and insisted we MUST test them for lunch, to make sure the big kids would like them. As usual the listening to the crispy rice was fun and we all giggled that they where saying ‘eat me, eat me’ because, of course, that is always what rice crispies say in our house. The taste… well you would think they where eating food meant for a king. Both ate it up as fast as possible oohing and aahing between spoon fulls and Little Woman insisted ‘these Christmas cereals are lovely!’ Lovely indeed! I say my children and their sweet little worlds of color and joy are even more lovely… lovely enough to win me over on this cereal… I suppose it will be one of our little special traditional treats year after year now.

TTFN

Hummus for all! Pass the Pita Chips! (Recipe Request)

by admin on December 2, 2010 in Foodie Like Me with 2 Comments

  • 1- 540ml can chickpeas
  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (or more if you like, taste test lots)
  • About 1/3 cup grape seed oil (maybe more)
  • seas salt to taste
  • 4 fresh garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • generous sprinkle of paprika
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  1. Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas and put in a blender.
  2. Add the tahini and the lemon juice then start to mix.
  3. This part is kinda up to you but I find the secret to a yummy hummus is one that isn’t too dry so you need to add grape seed oil as you need it. Mix more, test for how smooth it is and if it is still too dry add more oil.
  4. Once it is starting to get smooth add the salt and well chopped garlic.
  5. Once smooth scoop out into a bowl and give it a good mix with a spatula to make sure the spices got all spread around (it is so thick some blenders have a hard time).
  6. Top with a little olive oil poured over then sprinkle with paprika and cover generously with fresh cilantro that has been finely chopped.

We love this with pita chips but it is a great dip for fresh veggies too.

TTFN

Christmas Milk

by admin on November 12, 2010 in Dem Kids Sayed WHAT?, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Foodie Like Me, Little Things with 3 Comments


A delightful and quiet evening with just the kids, the dog and us at home.
A cute cartoon for them to enjoy,
A big blanket for all four kids, and the dog, to share snuggles under.
A special intermission of ‘Christmas milk and gingersnaps’.
A collection of Christmas milk mustaches for mommy to clean off before the movie starts again.
A sweet child of mine exclaiming ‘as soon as we finish this Christmas milk we must get more!’

I just adore that they call Eggnog ‘Christmas milk’ and hope it is our families own little name for it for years to come.

TTFN

A Break From Tomato Sauce (Recipe Request)

by admin on November 10, 2010 in Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me with No comments
Red Pepper and Tuna Spaghetti Sauce
  • 1 large red onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 Tbsps flour
  • 1 can of organic coconut milk
  • 2 cups canned roasted red peppers
  • 1 medium red pepper
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp sweet basil
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • pinch of cayenne (optional)
  • 3 cans tuna packed in water
  1. Chop up the onion and garlic very fine.
  2. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil till soft.
  3. Sprinkle with flour and stir well.
  4. Slowly add the coconut milk and stir constantly till thickened.
  5. Drain canned peppers, puree them in blender, then mix into the sauce.
  6. Chop up the fresh pepper very fine and add to the sauce.
  7. Add the sugar, basil, salt and cayenne and reduce the heat to medium low.
  8. Drain and flake the tuna then add to the sauce.
  9. Cook till the fish is heated through and the sauce is very hot.
  10. Pour hot over pasta and toss.
  11. Top with sliced black olives and parsley (fresh if you have it).
  12. Serves about 8 and goes great with 2-375g. pkgs of multi grain spaghetti.

TTFN

Bread Day Trumps The Dreary Day

by admin on November 8, 2010 in Bits Of My Personality, Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me, Little Things, Mama Heart Mushings with 1 Comment

It has been a good year for bread making. There seems to always be one dreary day a week. These days are crying out for cheerful bellies full of fresh bread. Even if I can’t find the motivation to leave the house I know I can be productive enough by getting the weekly 8 loaves done.

Pounding the dough first thing in the morning wakes me up and is a good work out. I then feel great anticipation as I gently place it in my grandmothers extra large bread bowl and wrap it. It is wrapped in my precious (and otherwise now unused) baby blankets. Cute and cozy the dough sits above the dish washer (where it is toasty warm) rising nicely while the washer chugs away. Panning the bread is done by happy hands, thankful to be productive on a dull and gloomy day.

In spite of the evening closing in, the house turns golden warm as the oven heats up and I rush each batch in and out . Extra little hands are eager to help me at this point as they all want to get their teeth into at least one loaf while it is still warm. However, I always insist they wait until the cooling process under the damp towels is done. With a heart full to bursting at another victoriously domestic day I bag the loaves and march them off to the freezer… while my family cuts into the sacrificial ‘tester’ loaf and gushes over its taste and texture.

At present, I am barely past the making of the dough stage and just the thought of our weekly home made bread routine playing out has put a smile on my face.

TTFN

Souptastic!

by admin on November 8, 2010 in Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me with No comments
Another request from a friend and it is indeed another soup recipe:)

Chick Pea Salsa Soup

  • 1 big onion
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbsps coconut oil
  • hot sauce to taste
  • 2-28oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 4 tsps coconut sugar
  • 2-19oz cans chick peas
  • 4 cups fresh spinach (be generous)
  • 2 cups zucchini
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Greek yogurt

  1. Cook chopped up onion and garlic in coconut oil till soft.
  2. Add hot sauce and stir.
  3. Add the tomatoes, broth, tomato paste and coconut sugar then mix well. Bring to a boil.
  4. Drain and rinse the canned chick peas then add to the soup with the spinach and diced zucchini and heat through till zucchini is soft (doesn’t take long).
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Top with Greek yogurt, add more black pepper to enhance the soups flavor and serve with the Parmesan biscuits.


Parmesan and Spelt Drop Biscuits

  • 2 cups white unbleached flour
  • 1 cup spelt flour
  • 4 tsps baking powder
  • 4 tsps oregano
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan (be generous)
  • 2/3 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • Paprika for sprinkling
  • Parmesan for sprinkling

  1. Mix the flour, baking powder, oregano and cheese together.
  2. Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry knife till crumbly.
  3. Add milk to batter and stir till just moist (dough will be sticky).
  4. Drop by spoon full (be generous) onto greased cookie sheet or un-greased seasoned stone sheet.
  5. Sprinkle with paprika and cheese.
  6. Bake in the middle of the oven at 425 for about ten minutes give or take… till golden and toothpick tested. Makes about 24 biscuits.

TTFN

Only Love Can Do This!

by admin on November 5, 2010 in Bits Of My Personality, Do I Call It Parenting Advice?, Foodie Like Me, Music Flavor, My Year of Right Sacrifice-TIME with 1 Comment

My children drive me to my knees to pray in two very different ways. In the days of joy and peace I feast my eye on the beautiful little things in this mommy world of mine and bending my knees in prayer I express thankfulness and amazement at all my blessings. Days of struggle and stress with my children send me falling to my knees in search of help and comfort.

It has been a week of loving so much it hurts. Struggles in each little child’s life surround me! They all need me at the same time and all reject my loving hand of discipline and guidance at the same time. It has been so tiring I fell asleep for four hours yesterday in the middle of the day!

Today I found the determination to enjoy the day in spite of it all. Put on some Carolyn Arends acoustic music. Finally put the cheep little chocolate bars away, that are so readily available thanks to the last ridiculous holiday, they where making me feel worse anyhow… Took the time and prepared a walnut salad, goat cheese on my favorite crackers and a little bubbly. Being my mothers daughter I put my bubbly in a pretty wine glass even though it wasn’t the real thing. I sat and ate and sipped and felt just special enough to get on with the good fight.

I plan to spend more time on my knees waiting for some clear guidance for each child, in hope that my parenting ability will not reach a limit and I will be thanking Jesus for the strength that I already feel welling up within me, the strength to keep loving even when it hurts.

TTFN

A Week of October Suppers!

by admin on October 30, 2010 in Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me, Four Little Eggs In My Nest with 2 Comments

MONDAY -The ‘Gray Day Dumpling Stew’ I typed out for you in the previous post. It was a big success and with that kick off to the week I easily remained on the menu planning band wagon.
TUESDAY -Simple baked lemon pepper chicken with a fruit and nut salad that the kids couldn’t leave alone till not a stitch remained. It had a homemade apple vinaigrette dressing, apple and pear slices with roasted almonds and celery on a bed of lettuce. I love that my kids like salad!
WEDNESDAY -Finally I found a minestrone recipe that tasted like the minestrone of my youth! YUM, just like I remember but healthier even! It was FULL of veggies and topped with home made croutons it became special! It was from one of my husbands triathlon magazines and a really good find.THURSDAY -Vegetarian meals are often favored around here! Starting with another winning salad and ending with amazing spicy black bean patties. Caramelized yams, onions and garlic are mixed in with mashed black beans, eggs and wheat germ. You then coat it in cornmeal and top with cool lime/paprika dip.
FRIDAY -After a week of the kids being so good about eatting my way I made a Mexican style lasagna for them. It is one of their favorite casseroles with loads of cheese, corn tortilla’s layered with zucchini, ground venison and lotsa tomato sauce (among other stuff).

I sure hope next week is as picturesque and as yummy!

TTFN

My Gray Day Stew (Recipe Request)

by admin on October 26, 2010 in Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me with No comments

My stew usually has different veggies depending on what is in the fridge but it always has dill dumplings on top, the same broth and venison (although it is fine with any red meat). I have tried to share it with friends a few times but was always at a lose for how it all was put together. Yesterday was a perfectly gray day so I prepared a big pot of it and now I am enjoying left overs with our first snow fall of the year. I remembered to take some time and write it down this time so enjoy.

RED MEAT AND DUMPLING STEW
  • 1 1/2 lbs red meat cut into stew pieces
  • (MARINATE OPTION: about 1 cup of olive oil and 1/4 a cup of apple cider vinegar then salt and pepper to taste)
  • 1 cup flour
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 large onion
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp dill
  • 1/2 Tbsp paprika
  • 1/2 Tbsp celery salt
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup pureed yam
  • 2 Tbsps mushroom flavored soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsps worcestershire sauce
  • hot sauce to taste
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch
  • 4-5 large chopped carrots
  • 4-5 large chopped celery
  • 3 large chopped red potatoes or 1 big yam
  • 1-2 chopped young zucchini

NOTE: Stew is often about reducing and thickening so don’t be surprised if it takes a while for it to get nice and thick.

  1. I marinate my red meat over night as venison can be dryer and tougher then fattier red meats.
  2. Put marinade meat in zip lock back with the flour and salt and pepper and shake to coat.
  3. Fry up the onion and garlic in some grape seed oil and once they are soft add the meat. Stir till cooked through.
  4. Warm up the water and the next 9 items, stirring well to help the pureed yam mix in well. Heat to boil.
  5. Add all the vegetables but the zucchini and cook till they are soft but not done.
  6. Add the corn starch to some broth you have scooped out and mix till it is smooth, then add to the soup and stir as it thickens.
  7. Finally add the zucchini and the meat and onion/garlic mix to soup, stir while it thickens more.
  8. Top with dill dumplings and cook according to recipe below.
  9. Serve this complete meal hot.

DILL DUMPLINGS
  • 3/4 cup white unbleached flour
  • 1/4 cup barley flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 Tbsp dill

  1. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  2. Cut in butter till crumbly.
  3. Stir in milk to make soft, kneed it so it sticks together nice.
  4. Drop by spoonful onto boiling stew.
  5. Cover stew and simmer 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Ah yes, a stew goes so beautifully with a rainy or snowy day! Let me know if you try it!

TTFN

My Version (Risotto)

by admin on October 18, 2010 in Domestic Damsel, Foodie Like Me with 1 Comment

So I cheated! Everything I read about risotto says ‘lots of time, hard, specific rice’ and so on. Well I didn’t follow any recipe and the first two times I had failures that although edible weren’t special.

I am sure if I had the real thing at a great restaurant or at some brilliant cook’s home I might be ashamed of this dish but I don’t know any better. Enlighten me! Anyone know of a great place to get risotto?

Third time round I impressed myself by not only succeeding but using up three left over dishes! Started with some short brown left over rice. Took a big container full of left over cheese and cauliflower soup and stirred them both together. Cut up some left over thanksgiving ham and threw it in last. Stirred till it was plenty hot and creamy and then served it with some steamed broccoli. Home run this time! Oh it was pretty and yummy and until I know better I am sure I will make this amalgamation of left over meals again and again.

TTFN

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